A new wave of research and firsthand accounts is reshaping our understanding of what “fun” means for parents in the twenty-first century, revealing that the arrival of children often profoundly changes not just daily routines, but a parent’s entire experience of leisure, pleasure, and joy. This evolving definition of fun holds particular significance for Thai families, who are navigating their own blend of traditional expectations and modern pressures amid rapid economic and social change.
For many, the moment they become a parent is when their old notions of enjoyment are upended. A widely-discussed personal essay published recently in The Times, “Is everybody having fun? How parenthood rewired my idea of a good time,” encapsulates how becoming a parent doesn’t erase fun, but alters its very texture. The author reflects on how, prior to having children, fun was spontaneous, peer-driven, even a barometer for self-worth. But as parenthood sets in, the pressure to deliver “fun” for children can itself become overwhelming—and sometimes backfire—until parents learn to let go of forced fun in favor of authentic connection and shared absurdity The Times.
This individual perspective is resonating not only as a relatable story, but also as a lens for interpreting larger trends evidenced in recent psychology and family studies. According to a summary of findings from The Bump’s 2025 Future of Parenting Report, nearly 88% of new parents now believe shared experiences—rather than material gifts—are the cornerstone of family fun and long-term happiness. The report, which surveyed over 1,000 contemporary parents, suggests a widespread pivot from over-scheduled, highly curated “forced fun” to more organic, unstructured opportunities for playfulness, emotional connection, and even silliness, affirming the essayist’s realisation that “fun is allergic to desperation; it sniffs out pressure and bolts” BusinessWire.
These findings hold deeper implications for cultures like Thailand’s, where traditional expectations regarding parental roles—particularly the image of the self-sacrificing, ever-patient mother—continue to shape family life. As Thai society increasingly absorbs global influences, parents here are not immune to social media’s depictions of idealized “perfect parenting” or the pressure to schedule endless learning activities, birthday extravaganzas, and Instagram-worthy family outings. Yet, per recent opinion pieces and expert advice, the persistent quest for visible, performative fun can leave parents feeling inadequate and exhausted—outcomes also echoed in international surveys, which show high levels of parental burnout and even loneliness among modern caregivers (New York Post).
The transformation of fun in the context of parenthood is now the subject of academic investigation. Studies referenced in global and local media, including those summarized by WGSN Mindset for The Bump’s 2025 report, highlight four emerging themes:
- Experiences Over Things: A clear majority of parents are shifting focus from material rewards to memorable experiences, emphasizing simple joys—outdoor play, shared meals, family storytelling—over expensive outings or toys. This approach is both a rejection of consumerism and a strategy for cultivating real connection.
- Connected Parenting: The “digital village” offers ample resources for new parents, but also introduces the challenge of managing screen time, both for kids and adults. Many parents now set mindful tech boundaries to preserve space for offline play and conversation.
- Wellbeing as Priority: With parental stress and childhood anxiety climbing, there is new emphasis on emotional wellness. Parents are modeling healthy emotional expression, building in downtime, and even introducing mindfulness or yoga to support mental health.
- Cultural Celebration: Parents are increasingly eager to expose their children to diverse cultures. In Thailand, this translates to a revived interest in traditional games, regional festivals, and cross-cultural learning experiences.
Expert opinions reinforce the changing definition of fun. Parenting coach Jenn Wert, in an article for Parents.com, advises, “Be sure [kids’] time is balanced—between scheduled and unscheduled—so there’s both inhaling (learning new things by being out in the world) and exhaling (being home and free to just be).” Clinical psychologist Dr. Alex Dimitriu likens the sleep deprivation and unpredictability of early parenthood to a meditative practice, saying, “Having babies is the ultimate exercise in Buddhism—you have to let go and surrender to the experience,” a notion likely resonant for families familiar with the Thai Buddhist ideal of “being present” Parents.com.
For Thai parents, this contemporary research and advice dovetail with local cultural themes. Thailand’s family values historically emphasize sanuk (สนุก)—the philosophy of finding joy and amusement in daily life. Traditionally, family fun was often simple: temple fairs, neighborhood play, shared jokes over street food. As family life urbanizes and digitizes, experts urge a revival of these relaxed forms of togetherness, cautioning against the exhaustion of constant performance.
Historical context further shapes how the Thai public absorbs these changes. The transition from rural, multi-generational family compounds to the urban nuclear family over the past half-century has already altered patterns of recreation and intimacy. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these shifts—prompting both more time at home and more opportunity for family play, but also heightened stress and a temptation to overcompensate for lost time with grand gestures.
Looking forward, international and local experts predict a continued rebalancing. Child psychologists note that children benefit most from parents’ authentic engagement—whether reading a silly story, inventing a game, or simply sharing kitchen tasks. Meanwhile, the popularity of “inchstone parties” (mini-celebrations of small milestones), criticized in recent Western op-eds, has yet to take firm root in Thailand, perhaps a sign that local culture retains some immunity to global spectacle-driven trends.
Still, challenges remain. Countless studies highlight that parents—especially mothers—often internalize social expectations to “do it all,” leading to guilt and burnout. For example, a 2019 review found that parental sleep did not return to pre-pregnancy levels until a child turned six (Parents.com). In Thailand, where workplace flexibility is limited for many, managing these demands requires government, business, and community support.
Stakeholders across health, education, and media sectors are responding. Thai pediatricians increasingly advocate unstructured play and family storytelling as crucial for mental health. Some Bangkok kindergartens now actively integrate both traditional Thai games and contemporary mindfulness exercises—both of which offer opportunities for organic, low-pressure family fun.
Expert guidance is consistent: Parents should resist the pressure to manufacture Instagrammable moments or pack weekends with back-to-back enrichment. Instead, focus on presence and authenticity, savoring simple absurdities and letting children—including the adults among us—find joy in surprise, intimacy, and even the chaos of daily life.
For Thai readers, actionable recommendations include:
- Schedule unstructured playtime at home or in nature, drawing from the Thai sanuk tradition.
- Limit exposure to perfect-parenting narratives online and practice self-compassion when plans go awry.
- Maintain regular community connections—temple events, family meals, local festivals—over solitary, performance-driven leisure.
- Prioritize emotional wellbeing alongside physical health, modeling open communication and relaxation for children.
- Advocate for systemic supports—such as family-friendly workplace policies—to make room for real family bonding.
Finally, remember: As research and stories show, the best family fun comes not from the desperate pursuit of joy, but from welcoming its unexpected, sometimes feral, forms. The boring lady, as the essayist admits, really was right all along.